Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Slipping on Jesus like an old pair of jeans

This morning, I woke up at 4:20. This is not normal. It's more likely that I'd be going to bed at that time. I wish I could tell you that I got up immediately and began my day, being industrious and getting things done. I didn't. I went back to sleep...because it was FOUR TWENTY A.M.

But something happened in that weird partially awake, partially asleep realm of complete clarity. That place where everything seems possible, I know exactly what I want to do with my life, and I make grand plans of all the glorious things I'm going to do with my day. Then I fall asleep and wake up 3 hours later with no recollection of what any of that actually was. Kind of like grasping at rainbows.

Anyway, this morning I actually remember it. Well, some of it. I saw a computer screen of my writings and ramblings and as I quickly scrolled up the screen a few phrases just jumped out at me. There were words brimming in a hot cup of coffee, ready to spill out. Literally. Words in coffee - like a hot cup of alphabet coffee. I don't even drink coffee. But I know there are things inside me that are itching to come out and and be heard. Now, I've been planning on blogging more and making plans and thinking of wonderful topics and then sitting down at the computer and finding the well miraculously shutting up at that moment. It's really quite irritating. So I knew I needed to blog this today, and yet it's 8:30 now and I've already forgotten most of it. I think I need to have a notepad and pen by my bed to write this mess down the next time it happens. I ramble.

The phrase I do remember as the words buzzed by was "Slipping on Jesus like an old pair of jeans."
Not slipping as in, "Oh, I slipped and fell." But more like, "Let me slip into something a little more comfortable." Just want to clarify that before mental images of people slipping on Jesus like a banana peel. Too late.

I thought a while about what that phrase actually means. I suppose it could have good connotations. I love these jeans. They're always there for me when I have a cruddy day. I can be myself in these jeans. These jeans give me confidence.

But let's look a little deeper. These jeans I can take on and off if they don't suit me in any given situation. These jeans wouldn't be appropriate for my workplace. And they're not appropriate for that super formal occasion that I have to attend. My friends don't like these jeans. They think they are out of date and I should update to a new pair. But! They're great for church, though! And when I need them I can just put them on. If I feel sad...I wear them. If I need a confidence boost, I wear them. Sometimes you just need a good, reliable pair of jeans to fall back on.

That's great for jeans (or whatever your go-to article of clothing is). Not so great for Jesus. Slipping him on and off for our own comfort is not really best practice. And yet, that's what we all have a tendency to do. I'm upset: let me take my Jesus pants off and be a jerk. My life is falling apart: Where are my Jesus pants?!?!?! Get up in the morning, put your Jesus pants on. But before you can get out the door good, there go the Jesus pants. Wear the Jesus pants to be a good example, but before you know it, the pants are off and you're choking people with the love of the Jesus pants. Cause that's what Jesus is all about: choking people with "love." But I digress.

A few days ago, I was in my book study with a wonderful group of ladies that I love and am privileged to walk this journey with. They have such wonderful hearts after the Lord. During our discussion, it was mentioned about trying to be Christianlike in our lives, etc. And as it was spoken, it occurred to me that maybe this is part of the problem. We're trying too hard to be "Christianlike" and neglecting to be "Christlike." We've spent all our time trying to figure out what Jesus would do, and forgotten about who Jesus is. We've made Jesus into our own puppet, or political agenda, or pair of pants, or insert your own terms here. We've all done it, whether we mean to or not.

Now, I don't have an exhaustive list of how to be Christlike. You can look it up on wikihow, if you'd like. Seriously, it's there. I wouldn't put much stock in it. We have a teacher. His name is Holy Spirit. Everything He does points to Jesus. Listen to that voice. Don't slip Jesus on and off like an old pair of jeans. Don't use Jesus for your own purposes.

Don't be Christianlike. Be Christlike. Walk with Him in every situation. Pause and listen to the still, small voice. Then take another step when He says. Is it easy? Nope.

1 comment:

Lawana--this was amazing. Very good. I've had some "midnight" thoughts too--or wee-hour thoughts that slipped away like a breath. A note pad will be handy. You don't even have to write real legibly, just scribble it. You will remember those thoughts--no longer fleeting! ;) My jeans are my favorite articles of clothing--besides a pair of purple and lavender polka dotted brushed cotton sleep pants...but those I can't wear out of the house... :)